LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – Preseason game one Friday night at Tampa Bay. There is much to observe, if you love football, in an exhibition game. Here are seven to consider as you sit down to watch with Bob Pompeani and Charlie Batch on KDKA-TV.
WRs
The first three receivers are locks, don’t need to see anything from Diontae Johnson, George Pickens or Allen Robinson to know they will play a big role this year. It’s likely Calvin Austin makes the team, he’s listed currently as a back-up receiver and the first-team punt and kick returner. But he’s never played in an NFL game-preseason or regular season.
Praised heaped on Gunner Olszewski by Kenny Pickett, Mike Tomlin and Johnson, but he plays essentially the same position as Austin. Miles Boykin is a solid special teamer and still has good speed. Cody White has been one of the five best receivers in camp and 6’5” Hakeem Butler shows flashes, but is inconsistent, can he be consistent when the lights come on?
McFarland
Running back Anthony McFarland is showing off his speed and moves during training camp, some of that during unpadded or non-full contact work. It’s the final year of his rookie contract, can he show that improvement against the Bucs and also find a role on special teams. With Connor Heyward playing some running back, do they need to keep three on the active roster?
Kenny Robinson
Injuries will likely keep a number of safeties, who will be on the roster, out for Friday night. That will give more opportunities for Wilkinsburg native Kenny Robinson. He’s taken a lot of first team reps, on Wednesday with Minkah Fitzpatrick. What will he do with that opportunity in a stadium and can he be a factor on special teams?
Mark Robinson
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin told 93.7 The Fan there is absolutely a future for the second-year linebacker with the Steelers. How much of that future is this season is in question. There are three established middle linebackers battling for starting time-Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts and Kwon Alexander. Robinson is potentially the fourth with Bethel Park’s Nick Kwiatkoski and Tanner Muse, both were free agent adds, and both are solid on special teams. Can Robinson show improvement in his overall game and not just as a thumper?
Special teams
Mentioned previously with a number of players, this is where guys battling for roster spots separate themselves. You could probably list 40 names here. There is also a legitimate punting battle this season, third-year draft pick Pressley Harvin against Braden Mann, who kicked last year for the Jets. Both were Ray Guy Award winners in college and Harvin is being pushed. Likely both will also get a chance to hold, that might be a key decider.
Kendrick Green
I think everyone has done a story about Kendrick Green, even Ben Roethlisberger is talking about it. Last Friday night the 2021 starting center took some reps at H-back or fullback, made a block, caught a pass. He would continue getting snaps at that position in every practice proceeding. Green even is doing a few running back drills now. You would think they will want to see him against someone who is not his teammate.
Left tackle
Make no mistake, Dan Moore is getting every first-team rep in practice at left tackle. He still has to show that improvement in a game and first-round pick Broderick Jones needs to prove he can handle facing another team. Jones has improved since the hitting started and still has the opportunity to win the starting job.
Mike Tomlin wants more tape. What happens Friday will be a test that counts double for those trying to make the roster or win a starting job.